Ultimate Guide to the Ayrton Senna TAG Heuer Watches

For better or for worse, watch ambassadors have become an indispensable part of the marketing landscape these days. Some of them have a genuine affinity with the brand they’re representing, some see their watch deal as just another in their portfolio of brand endorsements.

While the ambassador concept has begun to wear a little thin in some markets, I have to confess that a big part of the reason that I started getting interested in TAG Heuer was because it was the watch worn by my favourite sportsman: Ayrton Senna.Senna was the perfect ambassador for TAG Heuer- yes, he won lots (which helps), but he also had global appeal and there was something about him that made him more than just a fast driver. TAG Heuer used Senna in its “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” campaign, and anyone who saw Senna’s qualifying laps knows that it was when the pressure was on that Senna was at his best.

TAG Heuer had a relationship with Senna from 1988 through to 1994, and then after his death, a relationship with the Senna Foundation through to 2004. This partnership produced five Ayrton Senna Limited Edition TAG Heuer watches, most of which are Link Chronographs. And today in 2015 the relationship continues, although this time, with a range of sunglasses.

And importantly, Ayrton Senna wore TAG Heuer watches, and you can check out this articlefor an overview of his personal collection.

TAG Heuer and McLaren

By the time that Techniques d’Avant Garde (“TAG”) purchased Heuer in 1984/ 5 it was already the 50% owner of McLaren International. The McLaren team, founded by Bruce McLaren had lost its way by the late 1970s.

TAG- the investment arm of the Saudi Ojjeh family- had been a sponsor of the Williams team for several years, but decided that they were looking for much more than a simple sponsorship arrangement.

In conjunction with Marlboro, Ron Dennis was able to force a merger between his Project 4 team and the McLaren team run by Teddy Mayer. Ever wondered why all McLaren race cars- and the new road car- since 1981 have had the MP4 prefix? That stands for “Marlboro Project 4”- the name of Ron’s original team. And joining Ron Dennis in this new enterprise was TAG, which took a 50% ownership stake in the newly named McLaren International.

As a side note, what is not widely known is that just as TAG were an investor in McLaren, Ron Dennis was also an investor in TAG Heuer. Documents from the time of the 1999 sale of TAG Heuer to LVMH show that LVMH had secured the agreement of the four largest shareholders of TAG Heuer to sell- included in those four was Ron Dennis.

TAG famously paid for the development of the 1.5 litre Porsche turbo engine, ensuring that the championship winning McLarens of 1984, 1985 and 1986 were known as “McLaren-TAG”. The “TAG” engine continued through to 1988 when a new era began.

Ayrton Senna and McLaren

Ayrton Senna had been a successful driver for Lotus since 1985, and while he had won the occasional race (six over three years) and taken many pole positions, the Lotus team was unable to produce the reliability and speed that Senna demanded. The Lotus team was on an unfortunate decline since the death of Colin Chapman, although the team had some success with Honda engines in 1987, winning twice. However it was no surprise when it was announced that Senna and Honda would be moving to McLaren for the 1988 season. Lotus kept their Honda engines and “gained” the 1987 world champion Piquet, but it was pretty clear that McLaren had the better deal.

Ayrton Senna- Monaco 1988- Photo by World Racing Images via TAG Heuer

The relationship between Senna and McLaren produced three Drivers World Championships and 35 wins and was once of the most talked about era’s in Grand Prix racing, with his legendary battles with Alain Prost on the track, and the FIA off the track.

At the end of 1993 Senna left the McLaren team to move to Williams-Renault, a partnership that lasted only three races before that terrible crash at Imola that took his life on 1 May 1994.

Ayrton Senna and TAG Heuer

Senna’s move to McLaren marked the beginning of the relationship between Senna and TAG Heuer, with Senna appointed as the brand ambassador for the then-new S/el line of watches (“Sports and Elegance”). In fact, Senna’s daily watch was the Analogue/ Digital TAG Heuer S/el (below), which he wore on a leather strap.

There is a great story of a former McLaren mechanic who as a joke offered to swap watches with Senna if he won the 1993 World Championship. Senna didn’t win the Championship, but did give the watch to the mechanic at the end of the season. That actual watch- certified by McLaren’s Jo Ramirez, is below. You can read more about this great- if somewhat sad- story here.

Senna appeared in a range of advertising for TAG Heuer, as well as carrying sponsorship on his racing suit and on his McLaren. But despite these links, TAG Heuer did not produce the first Senna Limited Edition watch until after he left McLaren in 1994.

1994 TAG Heuer 6000 Senna

The TAG Heuer 6000 Senna Limited Edition was the only one of the Senna watches created while he was alive and with his involvement. You can quickly pick the The Senna 6000 (Ref WH1114) over a standard 6000 Series by the famous “Senna S” on the bottom of the case, instead of the TAG Heuer logo of the standard model.

The 6000 Senna features a bespoke dial, including two chequered flag patterns at the top and bottom of the dial. The watch was available in three sizes- Mens, Boys and Ladies- with 1,000 of each size made.

2001 TAG Heuer Link Senna

The second Ayrton Senna TAG Heuer followed five years later in 2001, when the first of the Link Senna Chronographs was released (Ref. CT2114). This series was a Limited Edition of 1,991 watches, to signify the year that Senna won his last Formula 1 World Drivers Championship (1991).

Like the 6000 Senna, the Link featured the “Senna S”, which this time was subtly embossed on the dial- you can only see the logo when the watch is viewed at certain angles, such as the photo below.

2002 TAG Heuer Link Senna

Next up in 2002 was the third Senna edition (Ref. CT2115), which holds the record for the strangest link between an event and the number made. There were 4,098 watches made- to mark the total number of minutes elapsed in the 41 races that Senna won.

Also based on the Link series, the third LE switches from a Red to Yellow colour scheme, to match Senna’s famous Yellow helmet. These Yellow markings can be seen on the central second hand and the tip of two sub-dial hands.

This third series also carries Senna’s signature on the dial

2003 TAG Heuer Link Senna

The 2003 model (CT5114) was a gentle update to the previous version in terms of looks- thick white “Daytona” style rings were used on the 12 and 6 o’clock sub-dials, while the dial no longer carries Senna’s signature. Also note that several of the Yellow highlights have gone, with the only Yellow on the dial being the Senna name and “S”

Other changes included the back of the watch, which now featured a colored logo of Senna’s helmet instead of the “Senna S”.

Note how the dial has the word “Senna” embossed across the middle- again, a nice touch that you only see at certain angles.

This fourth Limited Edition was the only watch in the series to feature a Chronometre movement- in this case, the Chronometre-grade version of the Calibre 16 (ETA 7750) movement. The fourth series was available as a limited edition of 4000 watches.

2004 TAG Heuer Link Senna

The final of the TAG Heuer Senna watches was released as a Limited Edition of 2,004 watches in 2004 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Senna’s death. This last version marked a significant changed in style for the series and was based on the re-designed 2004 Link.

The 2004 Senna Link (Ref. CJF2113) carries only a few markings to differentiate the watch from the standard TAG Heuer Link- the Green sub-dial hand and Senna’s signature.

Like the fourth series, this watch also has a logo of Senna’s helmet on the caseback.

2015 Update

For several years the Senna and TAG Heuer partnership lay dormant, with other watch brands releasing their own Senna branded watches. These always rung hollow to me, as many of these brands had zero connection to Senna, making it a true marketing exercise. As recently as 2014, the rights to produce Senna watches sat with Hublot, but in 2015 TAG Heuer have licensed his name and image- this time for a range of sunglasses.

It might not the the same as a new limited edition Senna watch, but at least the fact some relationship exists opens the possibility down the track when those existing watch arrangements expire.

Senna’s Legacy

The Senna TAG watches are some of the most collectible of the modern TAG Heuer watches. In fact, they are the natural extension of Heuer’s relationship with the 1970s F1 stars- TAG Heuer continuing down the path started by Heuer. Like the Ferrari’s of the 1970s, Senna’s McLaren also wore TAG Heuer sponsorship- just like the 2015 McLaren-Honda.

Of the Senna series, it’s the first watch that I believe is the most special, because it’s the only one that Senna himself helped design- a true Senna watch, rather than a watch “inspired” by Senna years after his death.

Senna’s fans will always associated him with TAG Heuer and the famous McLaren’s part owned by TAG that he drove during the peak of his career.

hi i'm looking at a tag senna looks like the third edition watch in your pics but on the back it has gmt swiss air force 1860-2000 met automatic chronometer.there's no numbers stamped on it,is this likely to be genuine or a copy.thanks vendt

DC

Hi. Hard to know without a photo (you can send it to info@calibre11.com), but doesn't sound right.

David

Mohd Nizam

How much if I want to sell my 2001 Tag Heuer Ayrton Senna?

Will

Hey there looking to buy a used but in good shape tag heuer senna watch. email me at aznblitzzz at gmail dot com.

Efrain

Hi David!! I'm a Tag Heuer owner and I recently purchace a Analogue/ Digital TAG Heuer S/el watch.. Model CG 1122-0. Do yoy know where I can get the manual for this watch? Thanks a lot!!

Sean

I actually had no idea about the origin of the MP4 moniker on Mclaren chassis, or that TAG and Ron Dennis had such a mutual involvement in each other's affairs. Learn something new everyday. I remember when TAG were official timekeepers for Formula One, and it is interesting (to me) that watch companies don't presumedly see any value in taking up that particular sponsorship role nowadays. I know Hublot is the official watch of F1, but the last company I remember being in charge of the times was Siemens and then nada.

Hi Sean. I suspect that- as with most things in F1- the answer is dollars. But yes, I agree that it seems a natural fit for watch companies, especially TAG Heuer.

dc

drksyd

Great article! Interesting to learn of the relationships with the auto industry as I am a huge car fan. I have a great wife that purchased a 4th limited edition Senna for me while on a trip to Vegas. It was a pre-wedding gift a whole year ahead of time as she knew I wanted a Tag. I love this watch and can't believe it's coming up on 8 years of service.

Thanks drksyd. A pre-wedding gift one year out?!? You are indeed a lucky man!

dc

Pablo

Hello David, I have enjoyed the article very much as well as the questions and answers from the participants. Today I have seen a 2001 Link edition new for 1500 euros. I really like the idea of having a limited edition. I already have a TG professional. Do you think it would be a good adquisition? Regards.

Jason

That's interesting reading, the senna owned watch you talk about was my dads. The certificate was made by me just before my dad had to sell the watch.

If you would like any other information before bonhams (scum) sold it, feel free to ask.

I am looking at purchasing a used TAG Senna CT5114 and was curious as to if you happened to know the case diameter of the 5114 as opposed to a Se/l. I currently own a CG1120 and I know the case diameter is 41mm and it appears the CT5114 is slightly larger. Can you advise? Thanks for your time—

thanks for posting these pages. I have a 2004 Senna watch that is still in the box, unworn. I know value is subjective, but do you thing that these will appreciate, or just retain their original value? I bought it for my son who was born just prior in late 2003. Turns out he's a huge F1 fan and races karts now, with ambitions to be a professional driver. I will probably give it to him on his 18th birthday as originally planned, but it would be nice to know what its worth in todays money. Any pointers appreciated – thanks

I'm not that sure on values to be honest. I thought I saw a NOS Senna watch (different version to yours) being sold on eBay for maybe USD3500?

I think your idea of giving the watch to your son is a great one, especially as he starts his career the same way Senna did.

Cheers

David

Ben

Hi David,

Aryton is also one if the reasons I have a passion for this brand and I was wondering if you would think they will be releasing a 20th anniversary edition watch? Wouldn’t mind getting my hand in the CAU 2012 orange if its not too chunky but maybe I should wait for a bit?

Hi Ben, took me a while, but I have an answer from the very top! No Senna edition next year unfortunately. The rights to produce a Senna-branded watch now sits with Hublot…

dc

Adam

I picked up a leaflet at the Geneva Motor Show at the Tag Heuer stand and it had a new Senna edition in it. I enquired about it and it is apparently being shown at BaselWorld this month and coming out later this year?

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